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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Who's That Knocking At My Door?

Two missionaries knocked on my door today. This event, which occurs all too often, has become difficult for me. When I first moved here, and I saw the young men in white shirts and ties standing on my doorstep, I didn’t think twice about shooing them off my porch as quickly as possible. I mean, how dare they, I know where to find their church if I feel the need - for god’s sake they are on every frigging corner. My feeling about the reasons behind their visit is still there, but my feeling towards these young men has changed. You see, my daughter Amy is a senior in high school and so many of her good friends are about to embark on their missionary journey. I cannot separate their faces from the faces of the strangers who continue to knock on my door. These poor kids have been sent to a state where they are either preaching to the choir or extremely resented. And so, I kindly explain to them why I am not interested. I engage them in conversation about where they are from and share my feelings about living in Utah. They always thank me for being nice to them and go on their way to more doors slamming in their faces. I feel a bit sad as they leave and I again see the faces of all the young men I know and have come to care about over the years. Don’t get me wrong, I despise proselytizing and I tell them so. So should you if you feel the same. But… please be kind they are just young men, far from home, and maybe one of Amy’s friends.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good for you, Jill, for being so nice! I know it's not always easy to do so. It is so annoying!!! but these young, squeaky clean boys are just doing what they have been conditioned from a very young age to do! They have been told they would go on missions from the time they were tiny. You can't blame them any more than you can blame a young kid who grows up in China for speaking Chinease. You can only hope they will listen to the other side of the story you are telling them, and hope when they are a little more mature they will think for themselves!

Cameron said...

I've been "conditioned" to go on a mission? I havent once been told "you're going on a mission" its a personal choice and my parents arent the reason behind it. whoever left that comment makes it sound like i've been brainwashed into going on a mission. thats not the case at all. I live a happy life being a member of the church or jesus christ of latter day saints and I want to share my love of the gospel with others. is there something that wrong with spending two years of my life helping other people?

jill said...

Thanks for your comment Cameron. I did not say those things, in fact I had you in mind when I hoped people would be kind. I don't agree with proseltyzing, but that is why I don't do it. Luckily, this is America and we have religious freedom, so you get to make your own choices! Our family has always loved you and accepted you for who you are. We are proud of you and your upcoming mission. I just want you to have the same respect for us as we have always given to you!

Anonymous said...

You act as if these young men have no success? There is a reason the church is growing so rapidly. Missionaries get many baptisms over their 2 years, some even get hundreds.

jill said...

I never even mentioned their success or lack thereof. I just acknowledged that sometimes people are not always very nice and tried explain why I always try to be.

Anonymous said...

you implied we have no success by saying, they went on to getting more doors slammed in their faces.

jill said...

True, I did. That is because I do know many people who do that. I have heard that both from door slammers and those who have gotten doors slammed in their faces. I was just trying to offer a better way to handle it without being rude. The last group of missionaries that came to my door actually shared some fo their sucesses with me.